Post on 13-Dec-2015
Linking VerbsLinking Verbs
By: Amanda Young and Alanah HallBy: Amanda Young and Alanah Hall
VerbsVerbs
A A verbverb is a word used to express action is a word used to express action or a state of being. (371, HRW)or a state of being. (371, HRW)
There are THREE kinds of verbs:There are THREE kinds of verbs:
1)1) Action VerbsAction Verbs
2)2) Linking VerbsLinking Verbs
3)3) Helping VerbsHelping Verbs
Linking VerbsLinking Verbs
A A linking verblinking verb connects the subject connects the subject to a word or word to a word or word group that identifies group that identifies or describes the or describes the subject.(374, HRW)subject.(374, HRW)
ExamplesExamples The apple The apple lookslooks rotten. rotten.
““Looks” links the subject (apple) to the adjective Looks” links the subject (apple) to the adjective (rotten): rotten apple(rotten): rotten apple
John John is is one of the great scientists in our area. one of the great scientists in our area. ““Is” links the subject (John) to the adjective (one): Is” links the subject (John) to the adjective (one):
John = oneJohn = one
The flowers The flowers smellsmell good. good. ““Smell” links the subject (flowers) to the adjective Smell” links the subject (flowers) to the adjective
(good): good flowers(good): good flowers
Commonly Used Linking Commonly Used Linking VerbsVerbs
Forms of Be:Forms of Be:
Other Verbs:Other Verbs:
amam bebe beingbeing waswas
areare beenbeen is is wherewhere
appearappear growgrow seemseem staystay
become become looklook smellsmell tastetaste
feelfeel remainremain soundsound turnturn
Action vs. Linking VerbsAction vs. Linking Verbs
An An action verbaction verb is a verb that expresses is a verb that expresses either physical or mental activity.either physical or mental activity.
To find out if a verb is an action or linking To find out if a verb is an action or linking verb substitute a form of be in for the verb substitute a form of be in for the verb. If the sentence still makes sense, it verb. If the sentence still makes sense, it is usually a linking verb. If the sentence is usually a linking verb. If the sentence doesn’t make sense, it is usually an doesn’t make sense, it is usually an action verb.action verb.
* forms of be and seem are always linking verbsforms of be and seem are always linking verbs
Action vs. Linking Verb Action vs. Linking Verb ExamplesExamples
Joe Joe playsplays baseball. baseball.Joe Joe isis baseball. (the sentence does not baseball. (the sentence does not make sense, so it is an action verb)make sense, so it is an action verb)
The roses The roses looklook pretty. pretty. The roses The roses areare pretty. (the sentence pretty. (the sentence
makes sense, so it is a linking verb)makes sense, so it is a linking verb) When verb is a linking verb, you can tell When verb is a linking verb, you can tell
because it describes the subject. because it describes the subject.
PracticePractice
What are the linking verbs in the following What are the linking verbs in the following sentences and what do they connect?sentences and what do they connect?
The spectacular ocean appears calm today.The spectacular ocean appears calm today. The spectacular The spectacular oceanocean appearsappears calmcalm today. today.
The Wright Brothers are famous for inventing The Wright Brothers are famous for inventing the plane.the plane.
The The Wright BrothersWright Brothers areare famousfamous for inventing for inventing the plane.the plane.
More PracticeMore Practice
The music sounds catchy.The music sounds catchy. The The musicmusic soundssounds catchycatchy..
The park seems crowded.The park seems crowded. The The parkpark seemsseems crowdedcrowded..
Are the following underlined verbs linking Are the following underlined verbs linking verbs or action verbs?verbs or action verbs?
Even More PracticeEven More Practice Jerry Jerry tastedtasted the banana split. the banana split. Action verbAction verb
The banana split The banana split isis tasty. tasty. Linking verbLinking verb
Jerry then Jerry then traveledtraveled to the park. to the park. Action verbAction verb
The park The park lookslooks pretty. pretty. Linking verbLinking verb